Draft text of the speech - may differ from the delivered version.  Speech delivered Building Cohesion, Achieving Equality conference at the John Innes Centre in Norwich.

Introduction

Thank you for inviting me to this Building Cohesion, Achieving Equality event. I'm delighted to be here today to talk to you about the Government's vision for cohesion, and to outline some of the work that is already happening to build integrated and cohesive communities.

I've got to start by saying that I'm really happy to be able to visit a part of the country I have not visited in a long time. I did however remember whilst travelling here today that a fellow born and bred South London lad - Richard Blackwood a famous local south London  black DJ and comedian, born just up the road from my neck of the woods, had recently visited the area …….in Richard's case however to celebrate Norfolk's Black History Month. And I see that Richard, like most south London boys, also managed to get his face on the front cover of the Events Guide, along with the great leader and activist Dr Martin Luther King Jr…..some say, typical of us south Londoners!!!!

On a serious note however, Norfolk's Black History Month was, and I must agree, recognised as one of the best Black History Month celebrations in the country last year. And this is quite a feat for a county with relatively low levels of diversity. This is an achievement that Norfolk should be extremely proud of, and is further proof that this region is a place that everyone can feel a part of regardless of race or ethnicity.

However, we also know that diversity can bring tensions - particularly as the new pressures brought about by increased globalisation and the expansion of the EU are felt in our neighbourhoods. And that these pressures are exploited by extremist rhetoric, whether that's from radical Islamic groups or the Far Right parties.

Building integration and cohesion are fundamentally about answering, on the face of it, a simple question: how do we live together - in all our diversity, with our different backgrounds and beliefs? But that simple question encompasses a set of rather more challenging issues for local authorities, the NHS, schools, the police - challenges, in fact, for every one of us.

We want a society that is at ease with itself, that is confident, and one that is united within its diversity. We want a society in which we continue to respect difference, but at the same time to ensure a sense of security and solidarity. We can't achieve this, unless we continue to work together.

One of the Government's core principles for cohesion is the focus on the 'local': and this is a vital point that I want to emphasise today.

Integrating new communities and promoting cohesion between existing groups, while being driven by national events and changes, is experienced, for the most part, at the local level: and at local level the experience can also vary greatly.

The global changes that shape our lives are also often best met with local solutions. In tough economic times, it is even more important and relevant than ever, to talk about migration. An issue that people care about deeply - that has a profound impact on our economy - and a subject on which everyone calls for a "mature debate".

But "a mature debate" isn't enough if we simply go ahead with the same old polarised to-ing and fro-ing.

We have to talk about migration in a balanced way, acknowledging the benefits and the challenges: and in a clear straightforward way, that makes sense to people.

So I appreciate the chance to set the record straight. We Benefit From Migration.

The fact is that migration is nothing new. For centuries people have come to make Britain their home.

Some have come here fleeing persecution and found shelter here. That is a humanitarian tradition that we are proud to continue.

But today I want to concentrate on those who come here to work - boosting our economy, enriching the culture, supporting public services.

They have been an indelible part of our success as a nation.

They continue to play a vital role today. However, in recent years, patterns of migration have changed.

Travel has become easier.  More people are choosing to stay for a short while and return home, rather than make Britain their permanent home.

And the expansion of the EU has brought new arrivals from Eastern Europe. Especially in the East of England

The scale and pace of change have meant that people and the media are scrutinising and questioning migration even more.

That scrutiny is legitimate, but it's important to set out the facts.

The majority of migrants who come to Britain from Eastern Europe are young and fit.

They do not bring dependents.

They come to work.

Sectors from agriculture to engineering to social care would struggle without their hard work and skills.

And just as openness has always been crucial to our success in the global economy, it will continue to be so in the future.

An example of these benefits of migration can be seen in the district of Breckland. Between 2005 and 2006 Breckland saw its population grown by more than 1300 almost entirely because of migration from Poland, Portugal, Lithuania, Latvia and other countries. Thanks to this, the local economy has grown too.

But the change in population caused some friction - bad feeling between settled residents and new arrivals, even scuffles and vandalism.

Locals have already recognised that this is a challenge and have started to address it.

The council is working with employers to boost English language skills, developing a closer relationship with the charities who help new arrivals settle in. And getting tough on rogue landlords who let low-quality, overcrowded bedsits with little care for their tenants - or their tenants' neighbours.

To help Breckland take this work to the next stage. My department with the agreement of the district council, assigned one of the first Specialist Cohesion Teams to work alongside Breckland council and key stakeholders to firstly, learn from the good work being done in the district, identify what is working well in Breckland; where there were gaps in provision; and where sharing good practice from elsewhere might fill these gaps.

(MINISTER HOLDS UP REPORT)

I AM VERY PLEASED TO USE TODAYS EVENT TO LAUNCH THE REPORT OF THIS TEAM'S WORK IN BRECKLAND. This report shows what collaborative working can achieve. In this case between my Department and Breckland district council and its partners. This work reflects a determination both at the national and local levels to build resilient communities which are equipped to meet future challenges and are characterised by a shared sense of belonging and purpose. I applaud all those involved people who committed so much of their time and effort to this innovative piece of work.

This report shows Breckland Council and its many stakeholders recognise the importance of strong and cohesive communities.

It is clear to me from this report, that local services, including health, housing, education and community advice services are the key to building strong and cohesive communities. I know the council and its many partners and stakeholders will build upon the findings of the report, and are committed to delivering the recommendations outlined within.

This work in Breckland has the potential to help direct future work on cohesion, but past learning must not be sidelined.

So what have we learnt in recent years?.....

That the movement of people brings opportunities. Migrants can boost local economies, bring their energy to everything from the highest-skilled engineering jobs to agricultural work, and fill gaps in vital public services such as social care.

At the same time it can bring challenges. Misunderstandings about local customs, anxiety about access to jobs, home and public services. At worst this can lead to tensions and conflict.

As with the Breckland experience the solution needs to be led locally, engaging all key stakeholders.

We need a new kind of partnership, to bridge the gap between national leadership and local action. We need to see Whitehall, councils and their local partners working together, sharing information, sharing expertise. This idea underpins the Government's response to the Commission on Integration and Cohesion report: and I believe we have already made good progress translating that response into practical action.

• The Government has confirmed £34m of funding over the next 3 years for local authorities where cohesion poses the biggest challenges.
• developed a cohesion delivery framework of guidance which provides advice to local areas on  how to analyse the issues for cohesion in their area and develop a plan of action
• A new website hosted by the Institute for Community Cohesion and supported by my department has gone live. It brings together in one place everything that people who want to understand what cohesion is, why it matters, and how they can make a difference - reports, research, examples of innovative approaches.
• The Specialist Cohesion Teams I mentioned earlier. We are currently evaluating these two pilots, though they have clearly been a success, and will be announcing how we will use the teams to tackle cohesion issues in the future

Migration funding

Many of you will already be aware that SoS Hazel Blear only last week announced the introduction of a Migration Impacts Fund.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a little about this fund.

Firstly, we are currently confirming arrangements for the Migration Impacts Fund. The money comes from a levy on new migrants as they apply to enter the country. This is about a fair contract; the fund is money from migrants to pay for the demands and impacts they make in our communities. Worth £70m over the next two years, the fund will support public services in areas facing the greatest pressures. Because the impacts can vary so much we are giving local flexibility about how it can be spent. It could cover:

• Extra housing officers to enforce the regulation of bedsits
• Additional support teachers in schools with large numbers of migrant children
• Information campaign about issues such as health - so that migrants know they should register with a doctor rather than go to A+E with minor illnesses, ultimately making for a better use of all taxpayers' money

However, I believe that just as at national level we are working more strategically so this fund could have an even bigger impact where local services work together. So I will be encouraging local areas to think whether there are ways they could get together: for example, to form a pool of interpreters to support those with limited English in very difficult circumstances - such as when they are in hospital, or have been a victim of crime.

We are also sharpening our focus on settled communities and existing residents. This has always been an important part of managing cohesion but as economic circumstances change it has gained new prominence.

Let's be clear: research still suggests that there is no significant evidence of negative employment effects from migration. But when people's jobs and security are under threat it is natural that they feel anxious, and they will be less receptive to change and migration.

That is why over the next year we will be investing nearly £1 billion in Train to Gain, helping 950,000 employees access new skills and training.

It is why we are investing £1.5bn in the Working Neighbourhoods Fund, to help more people from the most disadvantaged areas access the support they need to get into work.

And when we decide that there are skills gaps in the economy where we want to let in migrant workers, we are also pledging to do what we can to enable people already in this country to do those jobs successfully.

But central government does not have all the solutions here. What happens at a local level is vital. And we will continue to support and challenge local authorities to bring people of different backgrounds together.

So overall, I think we're heading in the right direction, and have got the basic framework in place to help communities everywhere continue to grow those links of common purpose.

What Next? Financial Crisis

The final point I want to make is about cohesion and the global financial crisis.

Building strong communities benefits us all and is more important than ever in an economic downturn.

Without beating about the bush, there are tougher times on the horizon. Lots of people are worried about their jobs and homes. Budgets will be tight. For this Government, there's no more important priority than helping people through the tough times.

But this doesn't mean cohesion no longer matters. On the contrary. In difficult economic circumstances you can go one of two ways. On the one hand, you could get people worried about access to public services and jobs. At the worst this could create competition between different groups that could corrode local cohesion. No-one wants to see that.

On the other hand, strong, cohesive communities could be best placed to ride out the worst of the downturn. Places where people band together - united by community spirit - and secure in their support for each other - will have an advantage.

So the financial crisis is not an excuse to stop thinking about cohesion, but to take it to the next level. Budgets are likely to be constrained so the answer cannot be to throw money at the challenge. But then it never was. This is a challenge that calls for local ingenuity, flexibility, working across public bodies, sharing resources and expertise, forging links with charities, community and voluntary groups.

My message to local authorities and their partners is clear: no-one can afford to leave this to chance. But you won't be alone. The Government is also adapting its approach to cohesion to make sure we get it right at this crucial point.

The Government will be keeping closely in touch with those places that have put ways to measure local tensions in place, and encouraging those that have not to follow suit - so that there is a clear and authoritative picture of the difference that the financial crisis is making to cohesion on the ground.

The Government is ready to be creative about its support for those places facing new challenges as a result of the downturn - for example, we might consider asking the specialist cohesion teams to get involved.

And as we look to allocating the next set of local budgets, we will make sure that the money is going to those places where it will make the most difference, taking into account the effects of the downturn.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our work on building cohesion is not done by any means. There are challenges ahead, but only by recognising them will we deal with them and move forward with confidence. Only by working together on this will we build cohesive and integrated communities. And only by recognising what we have in common rather than what divides us, will we map out our shared futures.